Is Marijuana Legal in Qatar?

Qatar is one of the world’s most restrictive countries regarding cannabis and other drugs. Medical and recreational cannabis use are illegal in the Middle Eastern nation.

Possession and personal use are considered serious offenses and may lead to lengthy sentences in Qatari prisons, heavy fines, and deportation for non-Qatari citizens.

The trafficking of weed or repeat drug offenses are considered major transgressions that may result in the death penalty.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Qatar

Medical and recreational marijuana is illegal in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar.

Cannabis is considered an illicit narcotic with no accepted medical benefits according to Qatar’s 1987 Control and Regulation of Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Psychotropic Substances (NDDPS) law.

Qatari law is guided mainly by Muslim Sharia law, which maintains a strict stance against using substances with psychoactive properties for recreational purposes.

Individuals caught using, trafficking, growing, distributing, or producing illegal substances may be subject to severe punishments, including fines of up to QR300,000 (approximately USD$82,400), long-term imprisonment for up to 20 years, deportation, or even the death penalty.

Qatar recently took the opportunity to reconfirm its stance on weed and drugs in general before hosting the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Organizations such as the United States Embassy advised U.S. citizens traveling to the World Cup that severe punishments would be issued to those found guilty of cannabis use or smuggling illegal drugs in their luggage. Diverse travel advisory boards warned travelers of the harsh penalties associated with drug offenses.

Qatar is also a signatory to other international drug legislation, such as the 1995 Arab Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

This convention outlines measures to reduce the supply of drugs into Arab countries but also emphasizes the humanitarian importance of drug education, treatment, and rehabilitation.

As a result, Qatar now provides rehabilitative support to individuals who have been identified with substance use disorders.

These individuals may undergo treatment for three months to a year at the Naufar Center, Qatar’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility, as an alternative to receiving criminal sanctions for drug use.

What to Know about Cannabis in Qatar

Qatar takes narcotics transgressions very seriously. The country’s borders are closely patrolled by authorities specially trained to seize illicit substances before they enter the country.

People who bring cannabis flower, cannabis concentrates, cannabis products, or even cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) into the country may be subject to harsh penalties, such as lengthy stints in Qatari prisons.

Qatar Has a Zero-Tolerance Policy for Cannabis and Cannabis Paraphernalia

Individuals traveling to or through Qatar should be aware that the Middle Eastern country takes its drug laws very seriously.

In one recent incident, Qatari authorities called for the extradition of a Scottish tourist caught with a cannabis grinder in his luggage.

The tourist was found with a grinder (i.e., a tool used to break down cannabis) while transiting through Qatar on his way to the U.K. from Australia.

Airport authorities confiscated the grinder, but the individual in question was placed on Interpol’s most wanted list and arrested by Greek authorities when he traveled to Corfu.

He was held in a Greek prison until the Greek court denied Qatar’s request to extradite him for sentencing.

Marijuana and Cannabis Products Are Often Seized at the Airport

Qatar monitors its borders very closely, particularly its main point of entry, Hamad International Airport. Airport customs officials are specially trained to catch individuals attempting to smuggle cannabis, cocaine, or other illegal substances into the country.

Customs authorities at the airport are equipped with the latest technology and even trained to read body language to seize illicit drugs.

In one recent event, a passenger was caught trying to bring 3,333.9 grams of marijuana and 2,119.4 grams of hashish into Qatar.

In another recent seizure, a package containing almost 10.5 kg of marijuana was found in a passenger’s luggage.

Can You Grow Cannabis in Qatar?

It is illegal to grow cannabis in Qatar. Those who attempt to grow the cannabis plant in the Middle Eastern country face severe penalties, such as hefty fines and lengthy terms of imprisonment.

Moreover, it is not easy to grow weed in Qatar due to the challenging growing conditions.

Qatar has a scorching desert climate for most of the year, with soil generally high in salinity, low nutrient levels, and a poor water-infiltration rate, rendering the cultivation of many crops challenging.

The Bottom Line

Medical marijuana use and recreational marijuana use are both illegal in Qatar. Qatari law maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards cannabis and other illicit substances.

Drug offenses are treated very seriously in the Middle Eastern nation, with heavy fines, lengthy prison sentences, or even the death sentence for repeat offenders.